Professor Christopher D. Kolenda is President & CEO of Kolenda Strategic Leadership LLC, a Senior Military Fellow at King's College London. Advisor & Strategist on Afghanistan, Pakistan to Undersecretary of Defense for Policy.

​Five current unpleasant realities: 1. The Islamic State is a pro-to Sunni Arab state controlling massive territory. 2. Currently, a proto-Kurdish State currently exits. 3. Neither Assad, nor Iraqi (Shia dominated) is going to win battle for legitimacy. 4. Both regimes are Shia dominated & 5. Assad's regime cannot be defeated as long at it receives Russian/Iranian assistance.

Professor Kolenda's policy is to reverse these trends while providing longterm regional security.